Pranav Mathur, Pune
After being cut down to 10 players on the field following the red card received by Conor
Gallagher towards the end of the first half, Chelsea held together to come out on top 3-2 against
Brighton. With this win, Chelsea now move into the top half of the premier league table.
Mauricio Pochettino’s boys in blue gained an early advantage as Enzo Fernandez and Levi
Colwill scored two headers in the 17th and 21st minute respectively. After the kickoff, Chelsea
seemed to be in command of possession, constantly pressing the opponent and getting a few
shots which missed the goal by inches. Conor Gallagher sent off the field with a red card for
fouling Billy Gilmour in the stoppage time of the first half.
Moments before Conor was sent off the field, Facundo Buonanotte gave hope to the Brighton
team and fans by scoring a goal in the 43rd minute, and the stage was set for the final half. Going
into the second half, the blues were up 2-1 with Brighton raring to make a comeback.
In the initial stages of the second half, Brighton did press but failed to score a goal after not
being able to convert a corner kick. Enzo Fernandez was given the penalty kick in the 63rd
minute, and he successfully put it in the goal, knocking the nail in the coffin against Brighton.
Brighton had a few shots on target, but they were unfortunately stopped by the keeper, Robert
Sanchez. Pressure seemed to be building up on Chelsea with Brighton’s constant yet desperate
attempts to score a goal, which were finally paid off as Joao Pedro, who came off the bench and
scored a goal in the first minute of the 10 minute long injury time, yet again, lifting the hopes for
Brighton. But it was too little too late as Chelsea survived a penalty scare, and went on to win the
match.